Personal Care Implement

ABSTRACT

A personal care implement that uses less plastic by removing material from a handle of the oral care implement while maintaining a comfortable grip which is similar to a normal grip that a user associates with a personal care implement. That is, the handle has a recess in a rear surface thereof, such that the handle or a portion thereof has a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional area. Portions of the handle may be covered with an elastomeric material to increase gripability and comfort. The handle may also include various rib structures elongated along the recess to increase the strength of the handle so that it does not significantly deform during normal use.

BACKGROUND

Personal care implements such as toothbrushes are commonly formed fromplastic. It is now well established that plastic pollution is one of themost pressing environmental issues that must be addressed. Plastic doesnot decompose, and therefore all plastic that has ever been produced isstill present in one form or another. While recycling has made a smallimpact on the reduction of plastics in landfills and oceans, thereremains far too much plastic in the products used by consumers ineveryday life. Furthermore, plastic is made from materials that includecoal, salt, crude oil, and toxic materials such as benzene and vinylhydrochloride. Many goods manufacturers are therefore working to reducetheir plastic output to reduce the amount of plastic sitting inlandfills and oceans. The invention described herein seeks to addressthese issues by reducing the amount of plastic in personal careimplements such as toothbrushes without negatively affecting consumerenjoyment during use of the same.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a personal care implement that usesless plastic by removing material from a handle of the oral careimplement while maintaining a comfortable grip which is similar to anormal grip that a user associates with a personal care implement. Thatis, the handle has a recess in a rear surface thereof, such that thehandle or a portion thereof has a U-shaped transverse cross-sectionalarea. Portions of the handle may be covered with an elastomeric materialto increase gripability and comfort. The handle may also include variousrib structures elongated along the recess to increase the strength ofthe handle so that it does not significantly deform during normal use.

In one aspect, the invention may be a personal care implementcomprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising ahead configured to perform a personal care function and a handleconfigured to be gripped by a user during performance of the personalcare function, the handle comprising a thumb grip portion and a fingergrip portion that extends from the thumb grip portion to a distal end ofthe handle that is located furthest from the head; and wherein thefinger grip portion of the handle has a generally U-shaped transversecross-sectional area along an entirety of a length of the finger gripportion from the distal end of the handle to the thumb grip portion ofthe handle.

In another aspect, the invention may be a personal care implement havinga longitudinal axis and comprising: a head configured to perform apersonal care function; a handle coupled to the head and configured tobe gripped by a user during performance of the personal care function,the handle comprising a distal axial portion that comprises a distal endof the handle that is located furthest from the head; and wherein thedistal axial portion of the handle comprises: a recess that is elongatedin a direction of the longitudinal axis; a first portion formed from arigid material and comprising a front surface that is convex in adirection transverse to the longitudinal axis, a rear surface oppositethe front surface that forms a floor of the recess and is concave in thedirection transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a distal edgeextending between the front and rear surfaces that at least partiallysurrounds the recess; and a second portion formed from an elastomericmaterial that covers the distal edge of the first portion.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a personal care implementhaving a longitudinal axis and comprising: a head configured to performa personal care function; a handle coupled to the head and configured tobe gripped by a user during performance of the personal care function,the handle comprising a distal axial portion that comprises a distal endof the handle that is located furthest from the head; wherein the distalaxial portion of the handle comprises: an arcuate shaped rigid portionhaving a convex front surface, a concave rear surface, and a distal edgeextending between the convex front surface and the concave rear surface;and an elastomeric portion covering and extending from the distal edgeof the arcuate shaped rigid portion.

In still another aspect, the invention may be a personal care implementcomprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising ahead configured to perform a personal care function and a handle coupledto the head and configured to be gripped by a user during performance ofthe personal care function, the body comprising: a skeleton portion thatforms a base structure of the handle and an entirety of the head, thebase structure of the handle comprising a front surface, a rear surface,and a peripheral surface extending between the front and rear surfaces,the base structure of the handle comprising a recess along a distalaxial portion of the handle, the rear surface of the base structureforming a floor of the recess; and a monolithic overmold portioncovering a portion of the front, rear, and peripheral surfaces of thebase structure and comprising a rib structure that extends along thelongitudinal axis and protrudes from the floor of the recess.

In a further aspect, the invention may be a personal care implementcomprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising ahead and a handle, the handle comprising: a base structure comprising afront surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a recess,the rear surface of the base structure forming a floor of the recess;and a monolithic overmold portion comprising a rib structure that iselongated along the longitudinal axis and protrudes from the floor ofthe recess.

In a still further aspect, the invention may be a personal careimplement comprising: a head configured to perform a personal carefunction; and a handle configured for gripping by a user, the handlecomprising: an outer surface; a first recess formed into the outersurface, the first recess having a floor; and a first rib protrudingfrom the floor of the first recess; and a cover member comprising asecond recess having a floor and a second rib protruding from the floorof the second recess; and wherein the cover member is coupled to thehandle so that the first and second ribs contact one another and thefirst and second recesses collectively define a handle cavity.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a personal care implementcomprising: a head configured to perform a personal care function; and ahandle configured for gripping by a user, the handle comprising: anouter surface; a first recess formed into the outer surface, the firstrecess having a floor; and a first rib protruding from the floor of thefirst recess; a cover member comprising a second recess; and wherein thecover member is coupled to the handle so that the first and secondrecesses collectively define a handle cavity.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a personal care implement inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the personal care implement ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an exploded rear perspective view of the personal careimplement of FIG. 1, illustrating the different parts;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the personal care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a personal care implement in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a personal care implement inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the personal care implement ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the personal care implement of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIA-XVIA of FIG.14;

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIB-XVIB of FIG.14;

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIC-XVIC of FIG.14;

FIGS. 17A-17D are cross-sectional views taken along line XVIB-XVIB ofFIG. 14 in accordance with alternative embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of a personal care implement inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present invention,whereby a cover member is detached from a body thereof;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the cover member of the personalcare implement of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecover member of the personal care implement of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the personal care implement of FIG. 18 in anassembled state;

FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG.21;

FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 21in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of a personal care implement inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, whereby acover member is detached from a body thereof;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the cover member of the personalcare implement of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the personal care implement ofFIG. 23 in an assembled state; and

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, a personal care implement 100 will bedescribed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe exemplified embodiment, the personal care implement 100 is atoothbrush, and more particularly a manual toothbrush. However, theinvention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the personalcare implement 100 may take on other forms and be used for otherpurposes in other embodiments. For example, the personal care implement100 may be an electric toothbrush in some alternative embodiments. Instill other embodiments, the personal care implement 100 may performother functions, such as being a flosser device, a tooth scraper, atongue cleaner, or any of the various other tools that are commonly usedfor oral care. In yet other embodiments, the personal care implement 100may be an implement used for personal care unrelated to the mouth, suchas being a razor, an applicator, a hairbrush, or the like. The inventiondescribed herein relates predominately to the handle of the personalcare implement 100, and thus the invention can be incorporated intoimplements of varying types which have handles for gripping and are usedfor different functions and purposes.

The personal care implement 100 comprises a body 101 that extends alonga longitudinal axis A-A. The body 101 comprises a head 102 and a handle110 that are connected together as a unitary part. The head 102 has afront surface 103 and a rear surface 104 opposite the front surface 103.Furthermore, the personal care implement 100 comprises a plurality oftooth cleaning elements 105 extending from the front surface 103 of thehead 102. The tooth cleaning elements 105 may take on different forms,including being nylon bristles, elastomeric lamella, or the like.Moreover, when the tooth cleaning elements 105 are bristles, suchbristles may include end-rounded bristles, spiral bristles, taperedbristles, and the like. The tooth cleaning elements 105 may be coupledto the head using various known technologies including staples,anchor-free tufting, Ptt, in-mold tufting, and the like. Thus, in theexemplified embodiment the personal care implement 100 is an oral careimplement, and more specifically a toothbrush. However, in otherembodiments the head 102 may not include tooth cleaning elements, forexample where the personal care implement 100 is a razor or other typeof device. The head 102 is configured to perform a personal carefunction, and thus depending on the specific personal care function tobe performed, the head 102 will have additional features such as toothcleaning elements, blades, flosser devices, applicators, or the like. Atongue cleaner may be provided on the rear surface 104 of the head 102in some embodiments as well.

The handle 110 extends from the head 102 to a distal end 106, which isthe end of the handle 110 located furthest from the head 102. The handle110 comprises a front surface 107 which faces the same direction as thefront surface 103 of the head 102 and a rear surface 108 which faces thesame direction as the rear surface 104 of the head 102. The handle 110can be divided axially into a plurality of different axial sections.Specifically, the handle 110 comprises a proximal axial section 111located adjacent to the head 102, a distal axial section 113 locatedadjacent to and comprising the distal end 106 of the handle 110, and acentral axial section 112 located between the proximal and distal axialsections 111, 113. The proximal axial section 111 of the handle 110comprises a neck 114 of the handle 110. The central axial section 112 ofthe handle 110 comprises a thumb grip portion 115 of the handle 110. Thedistal axial section 113 of the handle 110 comprises a finger gripportion 116 of the handle 110. That is, when a user grips the handle 110in a traditional manner, the user's thumb will rest along the thumb gripportion 115 (i.e., along the central axial section 112) and the user'sfingers will wrap around the finger grip portion 116 (i.e., the distalaxial section 113). The head 102 and potentially part of the neck 114(i.e., the proximal axial section 111) may enter the user's mouth ororal cavity during use of the personal care implement, particularly inthe exemplified embodiment whereby the personal care implement 100 is atoothbrush.

The body 101 is formed from a hard plastic material such aspolypropylene, and may include elastomeric materials such asthermoplastic elastomers or the like overmolded onto the hard plasticmaterial, as discussed in more detail below. The term thermoplasticelastomer includes, without limitation, Styrenic block copolymers,Thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers, Thermoplastic Vulcanizates,Thermoplastic polyurethanes. Thermoplastic copolyester, Thermoplasticpolyamides, and not classified thermoplastic elastomers.

In the exemplified embodiment, the thumb grip portion 116 of the handle110 comprises a rigid portion 117 (i.e., a portion formed of a rigidmaterial such as a hard plastic material as noted above, which is formedas an integral part of the body 101) and a thumb grip component 118formed from an elastomeric material, such as the materials noted above.The thumb grip component 118 is distinct from the body 101 and isinjection molded onto the body 101 along the rigid portion 117 of thethumb grip portion 116. The rigid portion 117 comprises a through-hole119 that extends through the handle 110 along the thumb grip portion 116thereof from the front surface 107 to the rear surface 108. Thethrough-hole 119 is oval in the exemplified embodiment, but may take onother shapes in other embodiments including circular, square,rectangular, or the like.

The thumb grip component 118 is disposed within the through-hole 119,and enhances a user's grip when using the personal care implement 100.As noted, the thumb grip component 118 may be injected molded into thethrough-hole 119 in a second step after the formation of the body 101.Although the thumb grip component 118 is depicted as having a smoothouter surface, the outer surface may be bumpy, may include ridges ornubs, and/or may include a texture to enhance the gripability thereof.The thumb grip component 118 is formed from a resilient, elastomericmaterial (i.e., a thermoplastic elastomer) such that a user can apply apressure thereon to compress or squeeze the thumb grip component 118.The thumb grip component 118 is securely coupled to the body 101 so thatuser applied pressure onto the thumb grip component 118 will not detachthe thumb grip component 118 from the body 101.

The body 101 comprises funnel-shaped portions which surround thethrough-hole 119 and the thumb grip component 118. Specifically, thebody 101 comprises a front funnel shaped portion 120 that at leastpartially surrounds the through-hole along the front surface 107 of thehandle 110 and a rear funnel-shaped portion 121 that at least partiallysurrounds the through-hole 119 along the rear surface 108 of the handle110. In the exemplified embodiment, the front and rear funnel-shapedportions 120, 121 are annular and completely surround the through-hole119. Moreover, the funnel-shaped portions 120, 121 comprises concaveouter surfaces. Stated another way, the front and rear surfaces 107, 108of the body 101 are concave along the front and rear funnel-shapedportions 120, 121. The concave outer surfaces of the front and rearfunnel-shaped portions 120, 121 extend from the grip component 118 tothe end of the neck 114 which is located furthest from the head 102.This results in a reduction in the total amount of plastic needed tomanufacture the personal care implement 100 while creating an elegantaesthetic.

The distal axial section 113 of the handle 110 which forms the fingergrip portion 116 of the handle 110 extends from the thumb grip section115 to the distal end 106 of the handle 110. The distal axial section113 of the handle 110 has a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional area(best shown in FIGS. 5-7 discussed below) owing to the fact that arecess 130 is formed into the rear surface 108 of the handle 101 alongthe distal axial section 113 thereof. The recess 130 extends from thedistal end 106 of the handle 110 to the thumb grip portion 115 of thehandle 110. Thus, there is no end wall at the distal end 106 of thehandle 110, but instead the recess 130 is open at the distal end 106 ofthe handle 110. The recess 130 is elongated in the direction of thelongitudinal axis A-A. Moreover, the recess 130 is formed into the rearsurface 108 of the handle 110 along the distal axial section 113 (or thefinger grip portion 116) of the handle 110.

The recess 130 has a width measured in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis A-A. The width of the recess 130 decreases along atleast a portion of the length of the distal axial section 113 of thehandle 110 moving in a direction from the distal end 106 of the handle110 towards the central axial section 112 (or the thumb grip portion115) of the handle 110. This reduction in the width of the recess 130 isbest seen in FIG. 3, and also in a comparison between FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5-7, the finger grip portion 116 of the handle110 located along the distal axial section (or distal axial portion) 113of the handle 110 will be further described. The distal axial section113 of the handle 110 comprises a first portion 140 formed from a rigidmaterial and a second portion 150 formed from an elastomeric material.The rigid material may be a hard plastic such as polypropylene or thelike and the elastomeric material may be a thermoplastic elastomer orthe like. The first and second portions 140, 150 may be formed fromdifferent colors in some embodiments to provide a visual contrast. Thefirst and second portions 140, 150 are coupled together in anon-detachable manner to form the finger grip portion 116 of the handle110 (which is also the distal axial section 113 of the handle 110). Thefirst and second portions 140, 150 may be formed in two separate shotsduring an injection molding process. Specifically, the first portion 140may form a part of the integrally formed body 101 (i.e., the body 101comprises the first portion 140), and the second portion 150 may beinjection molded onto the first portion 140 in a second shot during theinjection molding process. Of course, the personal care implement 100could be formed using other manufacturing techniques such as 3D printingor the like.

The first portion 140 forms the main structural rigid body of the distalaxial section 113 of the handle 110 and the second portion 150 forms agrip surface for the user's hand and fingers during use. The firstportion 140 comprises a front surface 141 and a rear surface 142opposite the front surface. The first portion 140 is generally U-shapedowing to the recess 130 noted above. Thus the front surface 141 of thefirst portion 140 is convex in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis A-A of the body 101 and the rear surface 142 of thefirst portion 140 is concave in the direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis A-A of the body 101.

The first portion 140 also comprises a distal edge 143 that extendsbetween the front and rear surfaces 141, 142. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the distal edge 143 extends between the convex front surface141 and the concave rear surface 142. In the exemplified embodiment, thedistal edge 143 faces the same direction as the rear surface 142 becausethe recess 130 is formed into the rear surface 130. In otherembodiments, the convex front surface 141 and the concave rear surface142 may meet directly, and in such embodiments the distal edge 143 maybe the location at which those surfaces meet or intersect. The distaledge 143 may be deemed to be a part of the rear surface 142 because itis visible when the personal care implement 100 is viewed from the rear.The rear surface 142 of the first portion 140 forms at least a portionof a floor 131 of the recess 130. A remainder of the floor 131 of therecess 130 may be formed by the second portion 150 of the distal axialsection 113 of the handle 110 (see FIG. 5 for example). In theexemplified embodiment, the distal axial section 113 (or the finger gripportion 116) of the handle 110 has a convex front surface and a concaverear surface (in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A)along the entire length of the distal axial section 113 from the distalend 106 to the thumb grip section 115.

The first portion 140 of the distal axial section 113 of the handle 110comprises a first sidewall 144 located on a first side of thelongitudinal axis A-A, a second sidewall 145 located on a second side ofthe longitudinal axis A-A, and a bight portion 146 extending between thefirst and second sidewalls 144, 145. The first sidewall 144 terminatesin a first terminal end 147 and the second sidewall 145 terminates in asecond terminal end 148. The first and second terminal ends 147, 148collectively form the distal edge 143 of the first portion 140 of thedistal axial section 113 of the handle 110. As noted above, the firstand second terminal ends 147, 148 of the first and second sidewalls 144,145 face in generally the same direction as the rear surface 142 of thefirst portion 140 of the distal axial section 113 of the handle 110.

The second portion 150 of the distal axial section 113 of the handle 110is coupled to and covers various portions of the first portion 140 ofthe distal axial section 113 of the handle 110 to improve a user's gripthereon and make the personal care implement 100 feel and handle similarto a more traditional implement which is round in cross-section ratherthan U-shaped as with the personal care implement 100 illustrated anddescribed herein. Along a proximal region 125 of the distal axialsection 113 of the handle 110 that is immediately adjacent to thecentral axial section 112, the second portion 150 covers the rearsurface 142 of the first portion 140. Thus, along the proximal region125 of the distal axial section 113, the second portion 150 forms thefloor 131 of the recess 130. Between the proximal region 125 of thedistal axial section 113 of the handle 110 and the distal end 106 of thehandle 110, the second portion 150 does not cover the rear surface 142of the first portion 140. Thus, the rear surface 142 of the firstportion 140 is exposed between the proximal region 125 of the distalaxial section 113 and the distal end 106 of the handle 110. As best seenin FIG. 3, the second portion 150 forms a closed loop that surrounds theportion of the rear surface 142 of the first portion 140 that isexposed. Thus, along the rear surface 108 of the finger grip section 113of the handle 110, the elastomeric material of the second portion 150forms a closed loop that surrounds an exposed portion 149 of the rigidmaterial of the first portion 140.

Moreover, the second portion 150 of the distal axial section 113 of thehandle 110 is coupled to and covers the distal edge 143 of the firstportion 140 of the distal axial section 113 of the handle 110. That is,the second portion 150 comprises a first sidewall portion 151 coveringand extending from the first terminal end 147 of the first sidewall 144of the first portion 140 and a second sidewall portion 152 covering andextending from the second terminal end 148 of the second sidewall 145 ofthe first portion 140. The first and second sidewall portions 151, 152of the second portion 150 are located on opposite sides of thelongitudinal axis A-A. The second portion 150 covers the entirety of thedistal edge 143 of the first portion 140 including both of the first andsecond terminal ends 147, 148.

The first and second sidewall portions 151, 152 are not simply a veryfine and thin layer covering the distal edge 143 of the first portion140. Rather, the first and second sidewall portions 151, 152 have aperceptible height as measured from the distal edge 143 to a terminalend of the first and second sidewall portions 151, 152. The first andsecond sidewall portions 151, 152 may have a height in a range of 2.5mm-5.0 mm, and more specifically 2.5 mm-3.5 mm. The height of the firstand second sidewall portions 151, 152 of the second portion 150 isgreater than a maximum thickness of the first portion 140 measuredbetween the front and rear surfaces 141, 142 of the first portion 140.In some embodiments the height of the first and second sidewall portions151, 152 is at least 2.5 mm.

While the second portion 150 covers the distal edge 143 of the firstportion 140, the second portion 150 does not cover any of the frontsurface 141 of the first portion 140 in the exemplified embodiment.Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the front surface 141 of the firstportion 140 forms the entirety of the front surface 107 of the handle110 along the distal axial section 113 thereof. Of course, it could bepossible in other embodiments for the second portion 150 to cover partof the front surface 141 of the first portion 140. Furthermore, in theexemplified embodiment the second portion 150 only covers the rearsurface 142 of the first portion 140 along the proximal region 125 ofthe distal axial section 113 of the handle 110. Thus, along most of thelength (at least 50% of the length, or more specifically at least 60% ofthe length, or still more specifically at least 70% of the length, orstill more specifically at least 80% of the length) of the distal axialsection 113 of the handle 110, the rear surface 142 of the first portion140 is formed from the rigid material is exposed.

In this embodiment, the first and second sidewall portions 151, 152 ofthe second portion 150 continue the curvature of the first and secondsidewalls 144, 145 of the first portion 140. Moreover, the first andsecond sidewall portions 151, 152 of the second portion 150 do notprotrude radially beyond the front or rear surfaces 141, 142 of thefirst portion 140 at the terminal ends 147, 148. Stated another way, anyaxis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the personal careimplement 100 that extends in a direction between the front and rearsurfaces 141, 142 of the first portion 140 of the distal axial section113 of the handle 110 and that intersects the second portion 150 of thedistal axial section 113 of the handle 110 also intersects the firstportion 140 of the distal axial section 1130 of the handle 110. Thefirst and second portions 140, 150 of the distal axial section 113 ofthe handle 110 are flush on both of the front and rear surfaces of thedistal axial section 113 along interfaces where the first and secondportions 140, 150 meet.

Because the second portion 150 covers the entirety of the distal edge143 of the first portion 140, the softer second portion 150 forms anentirety of a rear edge of the distal axial section 113 of the handle110. The second portion 150 protrudes from the distal edge 143 of thefirst portion 140 along the sides thereof and along the end which isadjacent to the distal end 106 of the handle 110. Thus, the secondportion 150 forms the distal end 106 of the handle 110 in theexemplified embodiment.

It is important to note that the second portion 150 extends from thefirst portion 140 at the distal edge 143 thereof, and the second portion150 is formed from an elastomeric material which is resilient andsomewhat flimsy. Thus, a user could readily bend or fold the secondportion 150. For example, when a user grips the personal care implement100, depending on the force of the grip the first and second sidewallportions 151, 152 of the second portion 150 may bend inwardly towardsone another and towards the longitudinal axis A-A. The second portion150 will bias back to its original non-flexed position when the userforce is no longer being applied. This may improve and enhance the gripfeel to a user by allowing the second portion 150 to bend inwardly tomore closely replicate the feel of a traditional toothbrush. Moreover,covering the hard plastic along the distal edge 143 will also enhanceuser comfort during use of the personal care implement 100. While notshown, the second portion 150 may nest within a recess in the distaledge 143 of the first portion, or vice versa, to enhance the attachmentbetween the first and second portions 140, 150. Generally, however, thefirst and second portions 140, 150 will become adequately coupled duringinjection molding even without such a nested arrangement.

The finger grip portion 116 (i.e., the distal axial section 113) of thehandle 110 has a front surface formed by the front surface 141 of thefirst portion 140 thereof and a rear surface formed collectively by therear surface 142 of the first portion thereof and by a rear surface ofthe second portion 150 thereof along the proximal section 125. In someembodiments, the first portion 140 of the finger grip portion 116 of thehandle 110 has a thickness measured between the front and rear surfaces141, 142 that is between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. In some embodiments, themaximum thickness is no more than 2.5 mm. Thus, this is much thinnerthan a traditional personal care implement due to the inclusion of therecess 130 formed into the rear, which results in a significantreduction in plastic material used to form the toothbrush. This is bothenvironmentally prudent and cost-effective.

Referring to FIG. 4, when viewed in a side profile, the second portion150 of the distal axial section 113 has a terminal end 155, which formsa terminal end of the finger grip portion 116. The terminal end 155 ofthe second portion 150 comprises a convex region 156 located adjacent tothe distal end 106 of the handle 110 and a concave region 157 locatedadjacent to the thumb grip portion 115 (i.e., the central axial portion112) of the handle 110.

As best seen in FIG. 2B, the second portion 150 of the distal axialsection 113 of the handle 110 is a monolithic integral component whichforms a loop-like shape that surrounds a central aperture 158. Theexposed portion 149 of the first portion 140 is exposed through thecentral aperture 158. Thus, the second portion 150 does not extend intothe recess 130 or onto the floor 131 of the recess 130, but insteadcovers only portions of the first portion 140 which are external to therecess 130 (said portions being described herein as the distal edge 143of the first portion 140). The second portion 150 covers the distal edge143 of the first portion as described herein, and then extends orprotrudes from the distal edge 143 to form a flimsy, resilient rearextension to the body 101 of the personal care implement 100.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, a personal care implement 200 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Thepersonal care implement 200 is identical to the personal care implement100 described above, except with regard to the distinctions notedherein. Thus, only a brief description of the general features of thepersonal care implement 200 will be provided herein, it being understoodthat the description of the personal care implement 100 provided aboveis entirely applicable other than the differences noted.

The personal care implement 200 comprises a body 201 comprising a head202 and a handle 210. The handle 210 comprises a proximal axial section211, a distal axial section 213, and a central axial section 212 locatedbetween the proximal and distal axial sections 211, 213. The head 202,the proximal axial section 211, and the central axial section 212 areidentical to those same features of the personal care implement 200 andthus further discussion of those features will be omitted in theinterest of brevity, it being understood that the description providedabove is applicable.

The distal axial section 213 comprises a front surface 214 and a rearsurface 215. The front surface 214 of the distal axial section 213 isconvex in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis B-B of thepersonal care implement 200. The rear surface 215 of the distal axialsection 213 is concave in a direction transverse to the longitudinalaxis B-B. That is, the distal axial section 213 has a U-shapedtransverse cross-sectional area just like in the prior describedembodiment. The distal axial section 213 may have the U-shapedtransverse cross-sectional area along its entire length.

The distal axial section comprises a first portion 240 which is formedfrom a rigid material (e.g., a hard plastic material such aspolypropylene or the like) and a second portion 250 which is formed froma resilient material (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer). The firstportion 240 comprises a front surface 241 that forms at least a portionof the front surface 214 of the distal axial section 213 and a rearsurface 242 that forms at least a portion of the rear surface 215 of thedistal axial section 213. In the exemplified embodiment, the frontsurface 241 of the first portion 240 forms the entirety of the frontsurface 214 of the distal axial section 213. The second portion 250covers a portion of the rear surface 242 of the first portion 240, whileleaving a remainder of the rear surface 242 of the first portion 240exposed. Thus, the first and second portions 240, 250 collectively formthe rear surface 215 of the distal axial section 213.

As with the previously described embodiment, the first portion 240comprises a first sidewall 244, a second sidewall 245, and a bightportion 246 extending between the first and second sidewalls 244, 245.The first sidewall 244 terminates in a first terminal end 247 thatextends between the front and rear surfaces 241, 242 of the firstportion 240. The second sidewall 245 terminates in a second terminal end248 that extends between the front and rear surfaces 241, 242 of thefirst portion 240.

The second portion 250 comprises a first sidewall portion 251 thatcovers and protrudes from the first terminal end 247 of the firstsidewall 244 of the first portion 240. The second portion 250 alsocomprises a second sidewall portion 252 that covers and protrudes fromthe second terminal end 248 of the second sidewall 245 of the secondportion 240. The extension of the first and second sidewall portions251, 252 of the second portion 250 is the main distinction between thepersonal care implement 200 and the personal care implement 100.Specifically, in this embodiment the first and second sidewall portions251, 252 are both arcuate such that they curve or curl inwardly towardsone another and towards the longitudinal axis B-B. The first and secondsidewall portions 251, 252 have an outer surface 253 that is flush withthe front surface 241 of the first portion 240 and an inner surface 254that is flush with the rear surface 242 of the first portion 240. Theouter surfaces 253 are convex just like the front surface 241 of thefirst portion 240. The inner surfaces 254 are concave just like the rearsurface 242 of the first portion 240.

By curling the first and second sidewall portions 251, 252 of the secondportion 250 of the distal axial portion 213 of the handle 210 inwardlytowards one another, the distal axial portion 213 of the handle 210 hasan overall shape that is closer to that of a traditional toothbrush.Moreover, because the first and second sidewall portions 251, 252 arecurled inwardly, they will be more closely aligned with the contours ofa user's hand as the user grips the distal axial portion 213 of thehandle 210. Similar to the embodiment previously described, the firstand second sidewall portions 251, 252 are flexible and resilient becausethey are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. Thus, a user's grip maycause the first and second sidewall portions 251, 252 to flex inwardlytowards longitudinal axis B-B and/or towards or into the recess 130.

Referring to FIGS. 12-16C, a personal care implement 300 will bedescribed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal care implement 300 comprises a body 301extending along a longitudinal axis C-C. The body 301 comprises a head302 that is configured to perform a personal care function (such as,without limitation, tooth brushing) and a handle 310 that is configuredto be gripped by a user during performance of the personal carefunction. In this embodiment, the head 302 comprises a front surface 303and tooth cleaning elements 304 that extend from the front surface 303.However, as described above, the tooth cleaning elements 304 could bereplaced with other features depending on the particular personal carefunction to be performed with the personal care implement 300.

The body 101 comprises a skeleton portion 305 that forms a basestructure 306 of the handle 310 and also an entirety of the head 302.The body 301 also comprises a monolithic overmold portion 320 that ismolded onto and covers parts of the base structure 306 of the skeletonportion 305. In the exemplified embodiment, the skeleton portion 305 andthe overmold portion 320 are both formed from a rigid material, such asa hard plastic material which may be polypropylene or the like. However,the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in otherembodiments the skeleton portion 305 may be formed from a hard plasticmaterial and the overmold portion 320 may be formed from a thermoplasticelastomer. Moreover, in some embodiments the skeleton portion 305 andthe overmold portion 320 may be formed from different colors to create adesired aesthetic. While described herein as the body 301 comprising askeleton portion 305 and an overmold portion 320, in other embodimentsthe body 301 may be a unitary construct such that the features describedherein as being attributes of the overmold portion 320 may instead beformed directly as part of the skeleton portion 305.

The base structure 306 of the handle 310 comprises a neck portion 311adjacent to the head 302, a finger grip portion 313 adjacent to a distalend 307 of the handle 310 that is located furthest from the head 302,and a thumb grip portion 312 located between the neck and finger gripportions 311, 313. Moreover, the handle 310 comprises a distal axialsection 314 that comprises the distal end 307 of the handle, a centralaxial section 315, and a proximal axial section 316 located adjacent tothe head 302. The distal axial section 314 of the handle comprises thefinger grip portion 313 of the base structure 306 of the handle 310. Thecentral axial section 315 of the handle 310 comprises the thumb gripportion 312 of the base structure 306. The proximal axial section 316comprises the neck portion 311 of the base structure 306.

The base structure 306 of the handle 310 comprises a front surface 330,a rear surface 331 opposite the front surface 330, and a peripheralsurface 332 that extends between the front and rear surfaces.Furthermore, the base structure 306 comprises a recess 333 along thedistal axial portion 314 of the handle 310. The recess 333 is formedinto the rear of the distal axial portion 314 of the handle 310 so thatthe rear surface 331 of the base structure 306 forms a floor 334 of therecess 333.

The base structure 306 of the handle 310 comprises a first wall 335protruding from the floor 334 of the recess 333 on a first side of thelongitudinal axis C-C and a second wall 336 protruding from the floor334 of the recess 333 on a second side of the longitudinal axis C-C.Each of the first and second walls 335, 336 is elongated in a directionof the longitudinal axis C-C (also referred to as the axial direction).The first wall 335 terminates in a first distal end 342 and the secondwall 336 terminates in a second distal end 343. An elongated channel 337is defined by the space between the first and second elongated walls335, 336. The elongated channel 337 is therefore also elongated in thedirection of the longitudinal axis C-C. The floor 334 of the recess 333also forms the floor of the elongated channel 337. The elongated channel337 is aligned with and/or located on the longitudinal axis C-C in theexemplified embodiment.

The base structure 306 of the handle 310 also comprises a first sidewallportion 338 located on a first side of the longitudinal axis C-C and asecond sidewall portion 339 located on a second side of the longitudinalaxis C-C. Outer surfaces of the first and second sidewall portions 338,339 form the peripheral surface 332 of the base structure 306. The firstsidewall portion 338 is spaced apart from the first wall 335 by a gapthat forms a first side channel 340. The second sidewall portion 339 isspaced apart from the second wall 336 by a gap that forms a second sidechannel 341. Each of the first and second sidewall portions 338, 339 andeach of the first and second side channels 340, 341 is elongated in thedirection of the longitudinal axis C-C.

The monolithic overmold portion 320 of the body 301 wraps around each ofthe first and second sidewall portions 338, 339 of the base structure306 and also covers a portion of the front surface 330 of the basestructure 306, a portion of the rear surface 331 of the base structure306, and a portion of the peripheral surface 332 of the base structure306. A first portion 321 of the monolithic overmold portion 320 nestswithin the first side channel 340 formed between the first sidewallportion 338 and the first wall 335. A second portion 322 of themonolithic overmold portion 320 nests within the second side channel 341formed between the second sidewall portion 339 and the second wall 336.Furthermore, the monolithic overmold portion 320 comprises a ribstructure 325 that nests within the elongated channel 337. The ribstructure 325 has a height along at least portions thereof sufficientsuch that the rib structure 325 protrudes beyond the first and seconddistal ends 342, 343 of the first and second walls 335, 336. The ribstructure 325 provides some added structural rigidity to the handle 310which may be needed due to the reduced thickness of the handle 310 whichresults from the recess 333 formed therein.

The rib structure 325 has a height (or thickness) measured from thefloor 334 of the recess 333 to a distal end 326 of the rib structure325. The height (or thickness) of the rib structure 325 decreases movingin a direction away from the head 302 and towards the distal end 307 ofthe handle 310.

While in the exemplified embodiment the rib structure 325 is formed aspart of the monolithic overmold portion 320, in other embodiments thepersonal care implement 300 may be formed as a unitary construct from asingle component (i.e., the skeleton portion 305). In such embodiments,the rib structure 325 may be formed as an integral part of the skeletonportion 305. Furthermore, other features of the monolithic overmoldportion 320 may either be omitted or formed also as part of the skeletonportion 305.

The rib structure 325 is spaced apart from each of the first and secondsidewalls 338, 339. Thus, a first elongated channel exists between therib structure 325 and the first sidewall 338 and a second elongatedchannel exists between the rib structure 325 and the second sidewall338. Each of the first and second elongated channels are continuousalong the length of the rib structure 325. That is, there are no otherwalls extending from the rib structure 325 towards the first or secondsidewalls 338, 339. The rib structure 325 is spaced and isolated fromeach of the first and second sidewalls 338, 339 along an entirety of thelength of the rib structure 325 and no structure exists which connectsthe rib structure 325 to the first or second sidewalls 338, 339.

The rib structure 325 is separated from each of the first and secondportions 321, 322 of the monolithic overmold portion 320 by the firstand second walls 335, 336, respectively. However, the rib structure 325is still formed as an integral and unitary part of the monolithicovermold portion 320. In particular, the rib structure 325 is connecteddirectly to a distal portion 323 of the monolithic overmold portion 320which forms the distal end 307 of the handle 310. The distal portion 323of the monolithic overmold portion 320 covers a distal end of the basestructure 306 as best seen in FIG. 15.

Furthermore, as best seen in FIG. 15, the base structure 306 of theskeleton portion 305 comprises a through-hole 345 that extends from thefront surface 330 of the base structure 306 to the rear surface 307 ofthe base structure 306. In particular, the through-hole 345 is locatedalong the central axial section 315 of the handle 310, which comprisesthe thumb grip portion 312 of the base structure 306. Of course, thethrough-hole 345 could be located elsewhere along the length of thehandle 310. Moreover, multiple through-holes could be provided inalternative embodiments. The monolithic overmold portion 320 comprisesan anchor portion 327 that is positioned within and fills thethrough-hole 345 in the base structure 306. In this manner, portions ofthe monolithic overmold portion 320 located along the front surface 330of the base structure 306 are integrally formed with portions of themonolithic overmold portion 320 located along the rear surface 331 ofthe base structure 306.

The monolithic overmold portion 320 protrudes from the front surface 330of the base structure 306. Moreover, the monolithic overmold portion 320comprises an elongated aperture 328 through which a portion 338 of thefront surface 330 of the base structure 306 of the handle 310 isexposed. The portion 338 of the front surface 330 of the base structure306 that is exposed through the aperture 328 is recessed relative to anouter surface 329 of the monolithic overmold portion 320. The elongatedaperture 328 is oval in shape and elongated in the direction of thelongitudinal axis C-C in the exemplified embodiment. Indicia may beprovided on the front surface 330 of the base structure 306 along theportion thereof which is exposed through the aperture 328. Such indicamay include a company name or logo for purposes of productidentification.

The monolithic overmold portion 320 also comprises a thumb grip section350 that covers the front surface 330 of the base structure 306 of thehandle 310 along the thumb grip portion 312 thereof. The thumb gripsection 350 of the monolithic overmold portion 320 comprises a pluralityof apertures 351 that are elongated in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis C-C. Furthermore, the base structure 306 comprises aplurality of protrusions 352 located along the thumb grip portion 312 ofthe base structure 306 of the handle 310. The plurality of protrusions352 protrude through the apertures 351 in the thumb grip section 350 ofthe monolithic overmold portion 320.

It should be noted that the recess 333 formed in the rear of the handle310 extends continuously along the distal axial section 314 of thehandle 310. The rib structure 325 is spaced apart from the portions ofthe monolithic overmold portion 320 that engulf the first and secondsidewall portions 338, 339 of the base structure 306 along essentiallythe entire length of the rib structure 325. There are no walls orientedtransversely relative to the longitudinal axis C-C that intersect orconnect with the rib structure 325. Moreover, the distal end 326 of therib structure 325 is recessed relative to a rear outer surface 355 ofthe monolithic overmold portion 320. Thus, the rib structure 325 doesnot protrude or stick out past the rear outer surface 355 of themonolithic overmold portion 320 (the rear outer surface 335 of themonolithic overmold portion 320 forms a rearmost part of the handle 310of the personal care implement 300).

As with the personal care implements 100, 200, the handle 310 has agenerally U-shaped cross-sectional area due to the recess 333 in therear of the handle 310. The rib structure 325 protrudes from the curvedbight portion of the U shape of the handle 310.

FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate alternative cross-sections taken along lineXVIB-XVIB. While FIGS. 17A-17D have been simplified to only illustrateone component (rather than the two components including the basestructure 306 and the monolithic overmold structure 320), it should beappreciated that the same two-component structure as shown in FIGS.16A-16C could be implemented with the alternative structures shown inFIGS. 17A-17D. The main distinction to be covered with FIGS. 17A-17D isthe different shapes of the rib structures 325 a-d. Otherwise, thedescription provided above with regard to the personal care implement300 is applicable.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a personal care implement 400 is illustratedin accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Thepersonal care implement 400 comprises a body 401 and a cover member 450that is coupled to the body 401. The cover member 450 may be coupled tothe body 401 using any one of various techniques, including thermalwelding, snap-fit, press fit, friction fit, mechanical engagement,adhesive, or the like. In some embodiments, the cover member 450 isnon-detachably coupled to the body 401 during normal use and handling ofthe personal care implement 400.

The body 401 is formed from a rigid material such as a hard plastic(e.g., polypropylene or the like). The body 401 extends along alongitudinal axis D-D from a proximal end 406 to a distal end 407. Thebody 401 comprises a head 402 that is configured to perform a personalcare function and a handle 410 that is configured for gripping by auser. The head 402 comprises a front surface 403 and there are toothcleaning elements 404 extending from the front surface 403. The toothcleaning elements 404 will not be described in detail here, it beingunderstood that the descriptions provided above with regard to the otherembodiments are applicable. Moreover, the tooth cleaning elements 404may be omitted in some embodiments, depending on the particular personalcare function to be performed by the personal care implement 400.

The handle 410 comprises a neck portion 411, a thumb grip portion 412,and a finger grip portion 413. The thumb grip portion 412 may comprisean elastomeric grip member as has been described above with the priorembodiments, although such a grip member is not required. The handle 410has an outer surface 414 which comprises a front surface portion 415 anda rear surface portion 416. A recess 417 is formed into the outersurface 414. In the exemplified embodiment, the recess 417 is formedinto the rear surface portion 416 of the outer surface 414. However, inalternative embodiments the recess 417 could be formed into the frontsurface portion 415 of the outer surface 414 or even along side surfaceportions of the outer surface 414 that extend between the front and rearsurface portions 415, 416.

The recess 417 terminates in a floor 418. Furthermore, a first rib 419protrudes from the floor 418 of the recess 417 and terminates in adistal end 420. The first rib 419 is essentially an upstanding wall thatextends from the floor 418 of the recess 417 to the distal end 420 ofthe first rib 419. In the exemplified embodiment, the distal end 420 ofthe first rib 419 is flush or even with the rear surface portion 416 ofthe outer surface 414 of the handle 410, although the invention is notto be so limited in all embodiments and the distal end 420 of the firstrib 419 could be recessed or protruding relative to the rear surfaceportion 416 in other embodiments. The first rib 419 is elongated in thedirection of the longitudinal axis D-D. In the exemplified embodiment,the first rib 419 is located on the longitudinal axis D-D. In thisembodiment, the first rib 419 is formed as an integral part of the body401 along with the handle 410 and the head 402. However, the personalcare implement 400 could have a structure that more closely resemblesthe personal care implement 300 with regard to it having a basestructure and a monolithic overmold portion which forms the first rib419. Thus, the features described herein relative to the cover member450 could be incorporated into the personal care implement 300 in someembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the cover member 450 will be described.The cover member 450 may be formed from a rigid material such as a hardplastic material (e.g., polypropylene or the like). The cover member 450is intended to be coupled to the body 401 to cover the recess 417 andform a fully closed handle structure. The cover member 450 is elongatedalong a longitudinal axis E-E. Specifically, the cover member 450extends from a first end 460 to a second end 461 along the longitudinalaxis E-E.

The cover member 450 comprises an outer surface 451 that includes afront surface portion 452 and a rear surface portion 453. Furthermore,the cover member 450 comprises a recess 454 formed into the outersurface 451. In the exemplified embodiment, the recess 454 is formedinto the front surface portion 452 of the outer surface 451. The recess454 has a floor 455. In this embodiment, the cover member 450 comprisesa second rib 456 extending from the floor 455 of the recess 454 to adistal end 457 of the second rib 457. Thus, the second rib 456 is anupstanding wall that protrudes upwardly from the floor 455 of the recess454. The second rib 456 is elongated in a direction of the longitudinalaxis E-E. Furthermore, the second rib 456 is located on the longitudinalaxis E-E. The second rib 456 is formed as an integral part of the covermember 450 in the exemplified embodiment. Moreover, in the exemplifiedembodiment, the distal end 457 of the second rib 456 is flush or evenwith the rear surface portion 452 of the cover member 450. However, thisis not required in all embodiments and the distal end 457 of the secondrib 456 may be recessed relative to or protruding relative to the rearsurface portion 452 of the cover member 450 in alternative embodiments.

Although not shown, in some embodiments one of the first and second ribs419, 456 may have a slot formed into its respective distal end 420, 457for receiving a portion of the other one of the first and second ribs419, 456. Such an embodiment will be described in greater detail belowwith reference to FIG. 22B.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a cover member 450 a.The cover member 450 a is identical to the cover member 450 except withregard to the structure of the rib. Specifically, the cover member 450 acomprises an outer surface 451 a that comprises a front surface portion452 a and a rear surface portion 453 a. A recess 454 a is formed intothe outer surface 451 a, and more specifically into the rear surfaceportion 453 a. The recess 454 a has a floor 455 a. The cover member 450a is elongated along a longitudinal axis F-F.

The cover member 450 a comprises a rib 456 a that protrudes from thefloor 455 a of the recess 454 a to a distal end 457 a. The distal end457 a of the rib 456 a may be flush with the rear surface portion 453 aof the cover member 450 a in some embodiments. In other embodiments, thedistal end 457 a of the rib 456 a may be recessed relative to or mayprotrude from the rear surface portion 453 a of the cover member 450 a.In this embodiment, the rib 456 a is oriented transverse, and morespecifically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis F-F. That is, therib 456 a is elongated in a direction that is transverse orperpendicular to the longitudinal axis F-F of the cover member 450 a.

The rib 456 a comprises a slot 458 a that extends downwardly from thedistal end 457 a of the rib 456 a towards the floor 455 a of the recess454 a. In the exemplified embodiment, the slot 458 a extends all the wayto the floor 455 a of the recess 454 a, thereby dividing the rib 456 ainto two separate and distinct walls. However, in other embodiments theslot 458 a may extend part of the way down the rib 456 a towards thefloor 455 a, but not the entire way. Moreover, while in the exemplifiedembodiment the slot 458 a is a constant width measured in the directiontransverse to the longitudinal axis F-F, in other embodiments the width458 a of the slot may decrease as it extends further from the distal end457 a of the rib 456 a. The purpose of the slot 458 a is to enable thefirst rib 419 of the body 401 to nest within the slot 458 a when thecover member 450 a is coupled to the body 401. Of course, in suchembodiment the first rib 419 of the body 401 would have to protrude fromthe rear surface portion 416 of the body 401 or the second rib 456 a ofthe cover member 450 a would have to protrude from the rear surfaceportion 453 a of the cover member 450 a to enable the first rib 419 tonest within the slot 458 a. In alternative embodiments, the first rib419 may include such a slot that receives the second rib 456, 456 a ofthe cover member 450, 450 a.

Referring to FIG. 21, the personal care implement 400 is illustrated ina fully assembled state whereby the cover member 450 is attached to thebody 401. The front surface portion 452 of the cover member 450 facesand contacts the rear surface portion 416 of the handle 410 of the body401. When so assembled, the rear surface portion 453 of the cover member450 forms the rear surface of the handle 410 and the front surfaceportion 415 of the body 401 forms the front surface of the handle 410.

FIG. 22A illustrates a cross-sectional view taken through the handle 410of FIG. 21. As seen, the recess 417 of the handle 410 of the body 401and the recess 454 of the cover member 450 collectively form a handlecavity 470. Furthermore, the distal end 420 of the first rib 419 of thehandle 410 of the body 401 abuts against or otherwise contacts thedistal end 457 of the second rib 456 of the cover member 450. Moreover,the personal care implement 400 when assembled has a handle portion 490formed collectively by the handle 410 of the body 401 and the covermember 450 which has a round cross-sectional area, similar to what auser might expect from a conventional personal care implement (e.g.,toothbrush). However, the handle portion 490 of the personal careimplement 400 is hollow, or at least partially hollow in that includesthe handle cavity 470, thereby resulting in a significant reduction inplastic material used to form the personal care implement 400.

Moreover, in this embodiment the cover member 450 comprises a bodyportion 462 formed from a hard plastic material, the body portion 462having an inner surface 463 that forms the floor 455 of the recess 454and an outer surface 464 opposite the inner surface 463. Furthermore,the cover member 450 comprises a grip portion 465 formed from athermoplastic elastomer that covers some, or all, of the outer surface464 of the body portion 462. This can enhance the gripability of thepersonal care implement 400 for a user.

Referring to FIG. 22B, an alternative cross-sectional view of thepersonal care implement 400 is provided. In this embodiment, the rib 419of the handle 410 of the body 401 protrudes beyond the rear surface 416of the handle 410 of the body 401. Furthermore, in this embodiment therib 456 of the cover member 450 comprises a slot 459 that extendsdownwardly from the distal end 457 of the rib 456. Thus, when the covermember 450 is coupled to the handle 410 of the body 401, a distalportion 469 of the rib 419 of the handle 410 of the body 401 nestswithin the slot 459 in the rib 456 of the cover member 450. Inalternative embodiments, the opposite may occur and a distal portion ofthe rib 456 of the cover member 450 may nest within a slot in the rib419 of the handle 410 of the body 401. In some embodiments, theengagement between the two ribs 419, 456 may result in a friction fit orsome type of mechanical interlocking engagement between the two ribs419, 456 to assist with the coupling of the cover member 450 to the body401. Moreover, the cover member 450 a shown in FIG. 20 could be used toachieve a similar type of attachment between the first rib 419 and thesecond rib 456 a.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, another embodiment of a personal careimplement 500 is illustrated. The personal care implement 500 comprisesa body 501 and a cover member 530 that is detachably coupled to the body501. In particular, the body 501 comprises a head 502 and a handle 510.The handle 510 comprises a front surface 511 and a rear surface 512.Furthermore, a first recess 513 is formed into the rear surface 512 ofthe handle 510. In other embodiments the first recess 513 may be formedinto the front surface 511 of the handle 510. The handle 510 alsocomprises a thumb grip region 515. Within the thumb grip region 515, thehandle 510 comprises an annular wall 516 that defines a through-hole 517and an elastomeric grip component 518 that is disposed within thethrough-hole 517 and surrounded by the annular wall 516.

The cover member 530 comprises a front surface 531 and a rear surface532. The cover member 530 comprises an aperture 533 that extends throughthe cover member 530 from the front surface 531 to the rear surface 532.Furthermore, the cover member 530 comprises a recess 534 in the frontsurface 531. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cover member 530 isattached to the body 501 so that the first recess 513 of the handle 510and the recess 534 of the cover member 530 are aligned and collectivelydefine a handle cavity 550. Furthermore, the annular wall 516 andelastomeric grip component 518 of the thumb grip region 515 of thehandle 510 extends into the aperture 533 in the cover member 530. In theembodiment of FIGS. 23-25, there are no rib features protruding from thefloors of the recesses 513, 534. However, ribs or rib structures couldbe included as described above with regard to FIGS. 18 and 19, forexample.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. A personal care implement comprising: a bodyextending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a head configured toperform a personal care function and a handle coupled to the head andconfigured to be gripped by a user during performance of the personalcare function, the body comprising: a skeleton portion that forms a basestructure of the handle and an entirety of the head, the base structureof the handle comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and aperipheral surface extending between the front and rear surfaces, thebase structure of the handle comprising a recess along a distal axialportion of the handle, the rear surface of the base structure forming afloor of the recess; and a monolithic overmold portion covering aportion of the front, rear, and peripheral surfaces of the basestructure and comprising a rib structure that extends along thelongitudinal axis and protrudes from the floor of the recess.
 36. Thepersonal care implement according to claim 35 wherein the skeletonportion and the overmold portion are both formed from a hard plastic.37. The personal care implement according to claim 35 wherein theskeleton portion is formed from a hard plastic and the overmold portionis formed from an elastomeric material.
 38. The personal care implementaccording to claim 35 wherein the skeleton portion and the overmoldportion are different colors relative to one another.
 39. The personalcare implement according to claim 35 further comprising a through-holeextending from the front surface of the skeleton portion to the rearsurface of the skeleton portion, the monolithic overmold portionextending through the through-hole.
 40. The personal care implementaccording to claim 39 wherein the base structure of the handle comprisesa neck portion, a thumb grip portion, and a finger grip portion thatcomprises the distal axial portion of the handle, and wherein thethrough-hole is located along the thumb grip portion of the basestructure of the handle, wherein the monolithic overmold portioncomprises a thumb grip section that covers the front surface of thethumb grip portion of the base structure of the handle, the thumb gripsection of the monolithic overmold portion comprising a plurality ofapertures through which protrusions of the base structure extend. 41.(canceled)
 42. (canceled)
 43. The personal care implement according toclaim 35 wherein the base structure of the handle comprises first andsecond elongated walls protruding from the floor of the recess onopposite sides of the longitudinal axis, an elongated channel definedbetween the first and second elongated walls, and wherein the ribstructure of the monolithic overmold portion is located within theelongated channel.
 44. The personal care implement according to claim 43wherein the base structure of the handle comprises a first sidewallportion located on a first side of the longitudinal axis and a secondsidewall portion located on a second side of the longitudinal axis, thefirst and second sidewall portions of the base structure of the handlebeing covered by the monolithic overmold portion.
 45. The personal careimplement according to claim 44 wherein the base structure furthercomprises a first side channel located between the first sidewallportion of the base structure and the first elongated wall of the basestructure and a second side channel located between the second sidewallportion of the base structure and the second elongated wall of the basestructure, the monolithic overmold portion nesting within each of thefirst and second side channels of the base structure.
 46. (canceled) 47.(canceled)
 48. The personal care implement according to claim 35 whereinthe rib structure of the monolithic overmold portion has a heightmeasured from the floor of the recess to a distal end of the ribstructure, the height decreasing when moving in a direction towards adistal end of the handle that is opposite the head.
 49. (canceled) 50.The personal care implement according to claim 35 wherein the monolithicovermold portion comprises a distal section that forms a distal-most endof the body, and wherein the rib structure is connected directly to thedistal section of the monolithic overmold portion.
 51. (canceled)
 52. Apersonal care implement comprising: a body extending along alongitudinal axis and comprising a head and a handle, the handlecomprising: a base structure comprising a front surface, a rear surfaceopposite the front surface, and a recess, the rear surface of the basestructure forming a floor of the recess; and a monolithic overmoldportion comprising a rib structure that is elongated along thelongitudinal axis and protrudes from the floor of the recess.
 53. Thepersonal care implement according to claim 52 wherein the base structureis formed from a first hard plastic material and the monolithic overmoldportion is formed from a second hard plastic material, the monolithicovermold portion overmolded onto the base structure.
 54. The personalcare implement according to claim 52 wherein the base structure of thehandle comprises first and second walls protruding from the floor of therecess on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, the first and secondwalls being elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis, andwherein an elongated channel is defined between the first and secondwalls, the rib structure of the monolithic overmold portion beinglocated within the elongated channel.
 55. The personal care implementaccording to claim 54 wherein the base structure of the handle comprisesa first sidewall portion located on a first side of the longitudinalaxis and a second sidewall portion located on a second side of thelongitudinal axis, a first side channel located between the firstsidewall portion of the base structure and the first wall of the basestructure and a second side channel located between the second sidewallportion of the base structure and the second wall of the base structure,the monolithic overmold portion nesting within each of the first andsecond side channels of the base structure.
 56. The personal careimplement according to claim 52 wherein the rib structure of themonolithic overmold portion has a height measured from the floor of therecess to a distal end of the rib structure, the height decreasing whenmoving in a direction towards a distal end of the handle that isopposite the head. 57-59. (canceled)
 60. A personal care implementhaving a longitudinal axis and comprising: a head configured to performa personal care function; a handle coupled to the head and configured tobe gripped by a user during performance of the personal care function,the handle comprising a distal axial portion that comprises a distal endof the handle that is located furthest from the head; wherein the distalaxial portion of the handle comprises: a recess that is elongated in adirection of the longitudinal axis; an arcuate first portion having afirst sidewall located on a first side of the longitudinal axis, asecond sidewall located on a second side of the longitudinal axis, and abight portion located between the first and second sidewalls; and a ribextending from the bight portion, the rib being elongated in a directionof the longitudinal axis, the rib being spaced apart from each of thefirst and second sidewalls along an entire length of the rib so that afirst continuous channel exists between the rib and the first sidewalland a second continuous channel exists between the rib and the secondsidewall.
 61. The personal care implement according to claim 60 whereinthe arcuate first portion of the distal axial portion of the handlecomprises a front surface, a rear surface, and a distal edge extendingbetween the front and rear surfaces, one of the front and rear surfacesforming a floor of the recess.
 62. The personal care implement accordingto claim 61 further comprising a second portion covering and extendingfrom the distal edge of the arcuate first portion.
 63. The personal careimplement according to claim 62 wherein the arcuate first portion isformed from a rigid material and wherein the second portion is formedfrom an elastomeric material 64-
 69. (canceled)